Seismic measurements, including the generation of seismic energy, the detection of seismic signals and their processing,

Measuring the magnetic or electric field of the earth or its modification by geological structures,

Measuring the gravitational field of the earth or its modification by geological structures;

Prospecting or detecting of masses or objects in general, e.g. by seismic, electric, magnetic, gravimetric, or optical means, or by the use of nuclear radiation.

Measuring gravitational fields or waves in general, e.g. gravitational forces between two bodies, or gravitational waves of cosmic origin.

Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing such apparatus.

Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object.

Geophysical modelling, whether or not related to the measurement of a physical parameter

In this subclass, the geophysical methods apply both to the earth and to other celestial objects, e.g. planets.

Relationship between large subject matter areas

The general subject matter for locating or detecting masses or objects is covered by several subclasses besides G01V: G01S, G01C.

G01V covers radar, sonar, lidar or analogous systems specifically designed for geophysical use. Radar, sonar, lidar or analogous systems, or details of such systems, if of general interest, are covered by subclass G01S.

G01V also covers geophysical modelling, whether or not related to the measurement of a physical parameter. Other fields, involving geophysical modelling are E21B and G06F

In general, documents relating to the functional aspects of the modelling per se, e.g. finite difference modelling, should be classified in the G06F 17/00. Fluid flow simulation and modelling which is not application specific, e.g. using specialized computer or software, is covered by G06F 17/5018.

Documents relating to the application aspects of the modelling of physical system or processes should be classified in their application field, that is G01V for geophysics and seismics and E21B for oil production.

More in particular, models relating to the state of the subsurface/formation, e.g. sedimentation models, should be classified in G01V 99/005, as this is considered the application field of exploration.

Models used when processing seismic data in general should be classified in G01V 1/28. Models used for velocity profiles should be classified in G01V 1/303

Modelling related to production of reservoir fluids, e.g. fluid flow models, should be with E21B.

Equally, analysis of models for production or simulated production are classified in E21B, like e.g. risk analysis, production forecast, net present value [NPV].

G01V 1/001 covers the passive detection of “presence”, i.e. availability/existence of an object or a person, e.g. in a room, by the sound produced.

This term “presence” is not to be confused with the term “event” as is used in other subgroups of G01V 1/00. The term “event” refers to an occurrence of an acoustic effect, for example in earthquake detection (G01V 1/008) or in microseismics (G01V 1/288).

References relevant to classification in this group

This subgroup does not cover:

Burglar, theft, or intruder alarms actuated by interference with mechanical vibrations using passive vibration detection system

Detecting the presence of objects as well as Geophysical prospecting by magnetic or electric means, e.g.

with propagation of electric current;

with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects, structures or detecting devices;

with electromagnetic waves

with electron or nuclear magnetic resonance

Measuring magnetic field characteristics and properties of the earth, both as local deviations and of the earth as a whole.

Special adaptations of the techniques above for well-logging or for use during transport

Relationship between large subject matter areas

G01V 3/00 covers detecting and prospecting by electric or magnetic means, also if the prospecting is applied in boreholes. However, It does not cover the analysis of core samples, as taken from a borehole, which is covered by the appropriate classes in G01N.

Investigating or analysing of materials by the use of electric, electro-chemical or magnetic means are classified in G01N 27/00. Investigating or analysing of materials by NMR are classified in G01N 24/00.

Magnetic resonance is classified in a number of technical fields. In particular G01V 3/14 and G01V 3/32 cover specific adaptations of magnetic resonance to geophysical measurements. As such, those groups strongly relate to G01R 33/20 and subgroups and to G01N 24/00 and subgroups. For a more complete explanation of the relationship, see G01N 24/00.

The distinction between electric and magnetic (i.e. G01V 3/08) on the one hand, and electromagnetic (i.e. G01V 3/12) on the other is not directly based on the frequency. Instead, it is mostly based on whether the wave character is important. If the wavelength is much larger than the dimensions of the structures or objects under investigation, the field is considered to be static and the subject matter is covered by G01V 3/08 and subgroups. If the dimensions are comparable to, or larger than a wavelength, the subject matter falls under G01V 3/12.

Prospecting or detecting through anomalies in the earth gravity field.

Relationship between large subject matter areas

The following place may also be relevant for classification:

The measurement of gravity is closely related to the measurement of acceleration as is generally covered by G01P 15/00. As such, comparable methods and devices may be found and classified in both places whenever a change in speed or motion is concerned.

Prospecting by optical means, e.g. by spectroscopic means, but also by optical inspection.

Detection of objects by optical means, usually through interruption of a beam of light.

In this main group, the term “optical” includes ultra-violet, infrared, visible light and millimetre waves.

Relationship between large subject matter areas

The main group G01S 17/00 concerns location or presence detection by means of reflection or reradiation of electromagnetic waves from the object. In G01V 8/00, the detection normally occurs through interruption of a beam or set of beams. In the context of G01V 8/00, the term “reflectors” only refers to means for deflecting the optical beam. It does not refer to the object to be detected.

Infrared radiation is considered to be light when used in e.g. light curtains. Documents, using infrared radiation as a measure of local temperature (e.g. thermal imaging), should be classified in G01V 9/005.

Documents should be classified in the lowest possible subgroup. If e.g. the document discloses both a system with a single beam and with multiple beams, but the latter is merely a juxtaposition of several single beam arrangements, it should be classified in the appropriate class for single beams. Details of single elements (transmitters or receivers), even if used in single beam or multiple beam systems, should be classififed in G01V 8/10.

In this subgroup, infrared radiation is used as an indicator of local temperature, e.g. for thermal imaging. If it is used as the optical beam of a light curtain, the document should be classified in G01V 8/00.

This subgroup contains means for locking sondes against the borehole wall,

means for centralising sondes in the borehole and means for determining the position and orientation of logging tools.

Combinations of measurement tools with locking mechanisms, e.g. in order to provide a better acoustical or electrical contact with the borehole wall, are classified in the appropriate class for the measurement method.

Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object (record carriers for use with machines G06K 19/00 ; signs, labels G09F)

Definition statement

This group covers:

Tags for objects that, due to their nature or to special circumstances, are not readily detectable in themselves by any of the methods in G01V 1/00 to G01V 9/00, e.g. buried PVC pipes but also e.g. merchandise that is in risk of theft.

It is not intended for identification of a particular object (e.g. among a group of similar objects) or for carrying information about the object.